Greenhouse/packhouse Worker

Job description

Perform manual labor to work in hydroponic greenhouse facility, which is a high temperature environment, to prepare for new crop. Load and unload new plants onto and off of forklifts and/or pallets. Perform crop maintenance for the new and old crops including lowering, de-leafing, clipping, pruning, removing empty trusses, twisting, suckering, harvesting, leveling, truss support, adding density and maintaining the plants. Hang, remove string, and plant wire spacing. Prepare and clean out old crops while inter-planting the new crops, setting rockwool, coco bags, and peat moss. Scout for different types of diseases and pests. Close and open beehive boxes containing live bees. Clean and sanitize work supplies and work areas using cleaning solutions and cleaning materials; clean and maintain all grounds including gutters, irrigation lines, removing and replacing old drippers. Check pH and EC, record results, remove slabs, install tarps, mix fertilizer, remove dead plants, remove floor fruit, and sweep when needed. Use personal protective equipment, greenhouse tools, and sanitation correctly. Operate horticultural equipment and machinery including a trolley and a power bee. Other general agricultural labor duties may be assigned. Workers will ensure that the plant crop work is carried out efficiently with care, which produces a quality grown vegetable. The general labor for the packhouse and greenhouse assures that produce grown in the Fort Valley facility is responsible for activities that maintain a healthy crop that is ready for market and assures that produce of the highest quality is packed into the appropriate containers, accurately labeled, and meets food safety, quality, and customer specifications. This role supports the supply chain by consistently meeting productivity and efficiency targets and ensures optimal operation of the business. Workers who have a valid driver's license and doctor's certificate may drive vehicles to transport workers and may be offered additional hours.

The following production standards apply: Clipping, Suckering - Tomatoes, 750 heads per hour; Deleafing - Tomatoes, 1000 heads
per hour; Lowering - Tomatoes, 1200 heads per hour; Pruning - Tomatoes, 1500 heads per hour; Truss Supporting - Tomatoes, 1200
heads per hour; Picking - Tomatoes, 25-35 minutes per 100 meter row; Clipping, Suckering, Pruning - Cucumbers, 800 heads per
hour; Deleafing - Cucumbers, 900 heads per hour; Lowering - Cucumbers, 1200 heads per hour; Picking - Cucumbers, 12-15 minutes
per 100 meter row; Removing Double - Cucumbers, 15 minutes per 100 meter row.

Allergies to ragweed, goldenrod, honey bees, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, or related chemicals may affect a worker's ability to perform the job. Persons seeking employment in this position must be available for the entire period requested by the employer. Employer reserves the right to discharge an obviously unqualified worker, malingerer or recalcitrant worker who is physically able but is unwilling to perform the work necessary for the employer to grow a premium quality product, or for any other lawful reason.

Employer may request, but not require, workers to work more than the stated daily hours and/or on a worker's Sabbath or federal holidays. Worker must report to work at designated time and place each day. Daily or weekly work schedule may vary due to weather, sunlight, temperature, crop conditions, and other factors. Employer will notify workers of any change to start time.

Workers should expect occasional periods of little or no work because of weather, crop or other conditions beyond the employer's control. These periods can occur anytime throughout the season. Workers may be assigned a variety of duties in any given day and different tasks on different days.

TERMINATION. All workers will be subject to a two day introductory period, during which the employer will evaluate workers' performance of required tasks.

Special Requirements

Three months of agricultural work experience required. Work in high humidity in temperature that averages 90 degrees Fahrenheit but increases to approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. Be able to tolerate high decibel background noise. Prolonged standing and walking. Possess both excellent visual skills (must be able to distinguish between colours) and audio sensory skills. Possess good manual hand dexterity skills. Lift, push and pull, bend, twist and carry up to 50 lbs. Must be comfortable working at elevated heights (up to 15 feet) utilizing scissor carts. Must be 18 years of age or older. Employer is a drug and alcohol free workplace. Drug and alcohol testing is conducted post-hire at the employer's expense and is not part of the interview process. Production standards apply.